Close Menu
  • Login
  • Support Us
  • Newsletter
  • News
  • Features
  • Interviews
  • Reviews
    • Video Games
      • Previews
      • PC
      • PS5
      • Xbox Series X/S
      • Nintendo Switch
      • Xbox One
      • PS4
      • Tabletop
    • Film
    • TV
    • Anime
    • Comics
      • BOOM! Studios
      • Dark Horse Comics
      • DC Comics
      • IDW Publishing
      • Image Comics
      • Indie Comics
      • Marvel Comics
      • Oni-Lion Forge
      • Valiant Comics
      • Vault Comics
  • Podcast
  • More
    • Event Coverage
    • BWT Recommends
    • RSS Feeds
Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram
Support Us
But Why Tho?
RSS Facebook X (Twitter) YouTube
Trending:
  • Features
    Battlefield 6 Classes - Support trailer image

    Battlefield 6 Really Wants You To Play Support (But Knows You Won’t)

    07/31/2025
    Battlefield 6 Multiplayer Reveal promotional image

    Battlefield 6 Classes, Maps, And More: Everything You Need To Know

    07/31/2025
    A glimpse at all the upcoming Star Wars stories coming to the galaxy

    Star Wars Stories: What We Learned At SDCC 2025

    07/25/2025
    Blindspot episode still

    It’s been 5 years since ‘Blindspot’ ended. Why haven’t you watched it yet?

    07/24/2025
    Strange Scaffold

    Strange Scaffold Summer Showcase Delivers Bizarre And Brilliant Games

    07/22/2025
  • Fantasia Festival
  • K-Dramas
  • Netflix
  • Switch 2 Games
But Why Tho?
Home » TV » REVIEW: ‘What If…?’ Episode 1

REVIEW: ‘What If…?’ Episode 1

Aaron PhillipsBy Aaron Phillips08/10/20213 Mins ReadUpdated:08/10/2021
what if - But Why Tho
Share
Facebook Twitter Pinterest Reddit WhatsApp Email

what if episode 1 - But Why Tho

The Marvel cinematic universe is a largely celebrated and colossal franchise. Spanning 13 years, with 24 films and 3 shows streaming on Disney+ to date. Each of them has its own story to tell but remains interconnected to the larger universal plot. After the events of Loki though, the future of the MCU is about to be shaken to its core, and where better to start than a reimagining of the original films in an animated anthology series. Welcome to Marvel’s What If…? Episode 1, which ponders the question, what if Peggy Carter had taken the Super Soldier serum instead of Steve Rogers?

Get BWT in your inbox!

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter and get the latest and greated in entertainment coverage.
Click Here

Get BWT in your inbox!

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter and get the latest and greated in entertainment coverage.
Click Here

The series is directed by Bryan Andrews, with A. C. Bradley as head writer. Hayley Atwell returns to voice agent Carter in the debut episode of this series, with Dominic Cooper as Howard Stark, Sebastian Stan as Bucky Barnes, and Stanley Tucci as Dr. Erskine as Captain America: The First Avenger gets the What If treatment.

Throughout the series, Uatu, also known as The Watcher, voiced by veteran actor Jeffrey Wright, provides a cosmically large celestial presence that oftentimes looms over the animation watching and noting but never interfering. Wright’s sultry and enlightened voice really sets the tone from the word go, adding an ethereal narrative that makes you feel we’re watching through his eyes.

The overall story feels familiar, and yet fresh, with Atwell smashing her performance. Atwell has oftentimes provided a take no shit, confident, and strong persona, but now the inside matches her outside as she becomes the Super Soldier of the war. Fans have been crying out for more Peggy Carter for some time, and this episode will highlight exactly why Carter is such a formidable and treasured character.

What If…? episode 1 has all the feels of the over-the-top patriotic Captain America vibe, while Captain Carter leads the war revival against Hydra, while fighting the misogyny within her own camp. It has all the musical trappings of the original film and gives some enjoyable nods to events during that movie as well. I really loved was that the episode was able to maintain was Captain Carter’s sense of justice and her connection with Steve Rogers. The heart of who they are

The animation is absolutely astounding. It’s vibrant and bright, so unbelievably smooth. It feels very different, while also capturing the essence of the MCU at its core. The action was fantastic, and so robust highlight the strength of Captain Carter, but choreographed so well. The movement of the characters is so smooth and exuberant, it’s hard to believe it’s animated at all. There are moments in the scenes that are also a very comic book, and that just pleased my little nerd heart. The dialogue was a little campy at times, almost giving a wink and a nod to the screen at the time with some jokes and nods that may not satisfy everyone.

Overall, this was absolutely the ideal episode to open the What If series with. Captain Carter provides a herculean look at a character that absolutely deserved far more time in the MCU than she got. The animation is robust, and smooth, while the action is killer. It has all the same tones of the original film while feeling fresh and vibrant at the same time. What If…? episode 1 is a breathtaking opening for Marvel, and I am beyond excited for all of the episodes to come!

What If…? episode 1 is available to stream Wednesday July 11 exclusively on Disney+.

What If...? Episode 1
  • 8.5/10
    Rating - 8.5/10
8.5/10

TL;DR

Overall, this was absolutely the ideal episode to open the What If series with. Captain Carter provides a herculean look at a character that absolutely deserved far more time in the MCU than she got. The animation is robust, and smooth, while the action is killer. It has all the same tones of the original film, while feeling fresh and vibrant at the same time.

Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn WhatsApp Reddit Email
Previous ArticleADVANCED REVIEW: Fena: The Pirate Princess,’ Episode 2
Next Article REVIEW: The ‘Hades’ Port Is Still Phenomenal on Current Gen Consoles (XSX)
Aaron Phillips
  • X (Twitter)
  • Instagram

Aaron is a contributing writer at But Why Tho, serving as a reviewer for TV and Film. Hailing originally from England, and after some lengthy questing, he's currently set up shop in Pennsylvania. He spends his days reading comics, podcasting, and being attacked by his small offspring.

Related Posts

Better Late Than Single
7.0

REVIEW: ‘Better Late Than Single’ Is More Than the Name Suggests

08/03/2025
Foundation Season 3 Episode 4 still from Apple TV+
8.0

REVIEW: Foundation Season 3 Episode 4 — “The Stress of Her Regard”

08/02/2025
Lerato Mvelase in Marked (2025)
9.0

REVIEW: Moral Dilemmas Battle It Out In ‘Marked’

08/01/2025
Rose Byrne and Seth Rogen in Platonic Season 2
9.0

REVIEW: ‘Platonic’ Season 2 Is ‘Superbad’ For Grown-Ups In the Best Way

07/31/2025
King of the Hill Season 14 episode still from Hulu
10.0

REVIEW: ‘King Of The Hill’ Season 14 Is the Best Revival Ever

07/25/2025
Foundation Season 3 Episode 3 still from Apple TV Plus
8.0

RECAP: ‘Foundation’ Season 3 Episode 3 — “When a Book Finds You”

07/25/2025

Get BWT in your inbox!

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter and get the latest and greated in entertainment coverage.
Click Here
TRENDING POSTS
Wildgate promotional key art
9.0
PC

REVIEW: ‘Wildgate’ Is Co-Op Space Mayhem Done Right

By Adrian Ruiz07/25/2025Updated:07/30/2025

Built for friends and tuned for competition, Wildgate is messy in the best way: smart, surprising, and bursting with room to grow.

Glass Heart
7.0
TV

REVIEW: ‘Glass Heart’ Offers Messy, Musical Catharsis

By Allyson Johnson07/22/2025

The musical drama series ‘Glass Heart’ soars when it focuses on the epic performances of it’s fictional band, TENBLANK.

Simon in An Honest Life But Why Tho
3.5
Film

REVIEW: ‘An Honest Life’ Is Terribly Dishonest About Its Own Politics

By Jason Flatt08/02/2025

An Honest Life is an overly severe misfire about a law student who falls in with anarchist burglars that can’t decide who it resents more.

Black Women Anime — But Why Tho (9) BWT Recommends

10 Black Women in Anime That Made Me Feel Seen

By LaNeysha Campbell11/11/2023Updated:12/03/2024

Black women are some of anime’s most iconic characters, and that has a big impact on Black anime fans. Here are some of our favorites.

But Why Tho?
Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram Pinterest RSS YouTube Twitch
  • CONTACT US
  • ABOUT US
  • PRIVACY POLICY
  • SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER
  • Review Score Guide
Sometimes we include links to online retail stores. If you click on one and make a purchase we may receive a small contribution.
Written Content is Copyright © 2025 But Why Tho? A Geek Community

Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.

But Why Tho Logo

Support Us!

We're able to keep making content thanks to readers like YOU!
Support independent media today with
Click Here